Tonight is the first of the seven &quot;Golden Nights&quot; of Advent (Dec. 17-23) in which the O Antiphons are traditionally prayed.&#0160; Known in English primarily by their versification in O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, the O Antiphons (so-called because each begins with &quot;O&quot;) each address Jesus with a unique Messianic title from Old Testament prophecy.&#0160; Each antiphon is prayed--chanted or spoken--on its corresponding night this week:

Sunday begins the season of Advent, and with it a new year in the Church&#39;s liturgical calendar.&#0160; Through the Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, and Easter seasons the Church centers its focus on the life of Christ, from his birth in Bethlehem to his sacrificial death, resurrection, and ascension to glory.&#0160; At Pentecost, attention turns to the life of the Church and its mission to the world--proclaiming Christ&#39;s saving Gospel to a sinful race.